Not a Morning Mare

Okay, so I'm writing a fanfic that will basically take place about twenty years after the most recent episode (end of season 3) and it involves Pipsqueak and Sweetie Belle (married) as well as their daughter, Tea Leaf. This got me to thinking... "Hold on a moment. Claims relation to canon ponies... Becomes pivotal in my story... Oh no, this is starting to sound like another terrible OC." You know the ones, the Mary Sue's and Gary Stu's created by some of the less creative or less literate members of the fandom (I deeply apologize to anyone offended by this phrasology). The overpowered ponies. The "beloved-by-all" ponies. The flat, static ponies. I suppose what I'm worried about is, will Tea Leaf automatically be seen as one of those sorts of ponies because I say she's the offspring of two canon ponies, or, if I write her character well, will she be okay? Do the foals of canon ponies count as bad OC's automatically, or are they something else altogether? If I'm not articulating my thoughts well, please excuse me; it's late and I'm tired but this idea is nagging at my mind. Thank you for your opinions, anyone who sees fit to respond.

Dem finger nubs, Oh celestia those are adorable. But, if you are looking for criticism, I think the moon could be redrawn. It looks a bit, blah, compared to Luna. Also, I love how you put her Cutie Mark in the sky; very cool.

Maxim settled down in the basket of the balloon with the guard on one side of him and Basswaver on the other. The young zebra gulped and tried not to think about Standoff's dismal outlook on events. Maxim smiled at the blue pegasus filly and reached out a hoof to shake, "Hello there Cloudia. My name's Maxim, newly crowned God-hero of Equestria, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

It would seem that interest in this RP is minimal. Maybe if I changed it to a [searching] thread that would draw attention. We two can't possibly be the only ones in the Broniverse who like Half-Life.

@@TBB Symphonia, Sure thing. Have you ever noticed how annoying this character count thing is when you haven't got much to say?

Okay, so I was basically wondering if anypony would like to help me do an RP based off Half-life and the Black Mesa Research Facility. It would take place in a facility half a mile under the bland and totally not-interesting White Canyon, where all sorts of techno-magical advancements are created. Having played Half-life would be a pretty good advantage if you want to join. At the moment the idea is just a vague one, so if anypony has any ideas, for the love of Celestia help me! feel free to express them.

Maxim followed the other Chosen to the balloon, more accurately being dragged along by Basswaver as the zebra was still in a semi-catatonic state of shock. He was uncerimoniously loaded into the ballon and might well have been mistaken for luggage if he hadn't snapped out of it soon enough to sit up and speak, "Okay! Honestly wasn't expecting this, but I can deal with it. Okay, yes, I can do this." He really wanted to believe that he could. He looked around at the other Chosen, and the nervous guard. He walked over to the guard and sat down next to him. Maybe some company would calm him down. Wait a minute, why did they need guarding? Were the Chosen dangerous? Were there ponies who would want to hurt them!? Sweet Mother of the Night, he was only fourteen years old! He wasn't ready to be the target of asassins! @@soullessduck, Okay, so maybe it wasn't just the guard who needed to calm down. Maxim cleared his throat, "So, uh, hi. I'm Maxim."

@@RoseLaflesh, Maxim pursed his lips and rubbed his chin, "I think," He said slowly, "We just got our first Chosen." Maxim smirked and stifled a chuckle. Maybe this guy did have a sense of humor. That was good; despite his slightly abrassive nature, the colt was growing on him. Maxim's eyes widened as Waver pulled him into a hug, catching a glimpse of her new mark. He grinned massively and threw his forelegs around her, giving her a tight squeeze, "That's incredible! Congradulations Waver! I- uh- What? What is it?" He let go of her and took a step back as she gasped and pointed her mirror at him. He immediately saw the styalized bull's head now adorning his own head. He grabbed the mirror in his hooves and pulled it closer, staring at his forehead to make sure he wasn't missing something. Nope. It was there alright; Taurus, if he wasn't mistaken. Maxim stared in... he wasn't sure if he was feeling terror or elation at the moment. He just went with plain shock and gulped. Even with his new odds at getting Chosen he'd never really expected anything. "I... Well that's... I..." He tried and failed repeatedly to form a full sentence, finally settling simply on a breathless, "Whoa." Suddenly he sensed a shift in the already unruly looking crowd. He lowered the mirror and looked around outside Basswaver's magic bubble, "Hey, is something going on out there?"

@, Maxim blinked and adjusted himself in his seat. Part of his mind agreed with the odd blue colt. If he was about to be Chosen, then he couldn't be sitting there like a lump, staring at nothing. Another part of him though was irked by Standoff's comment. Maxim raised an eyebrow at him, "I have a one in three chance of becoming one of the most important ponies in the world, as part of a ceremony that only happens once every twelve thousand years, and you think it's unusual that I would be a bit surprised?" He smirked a bit, "If anything, I think it's you who's acting strange my friend. The way you're taking this all so quietly makes me think you knew this was going to happen. And what 'job' are we on exactly? Strange indeed..." Maxim eyed Standoff suspiciously for a moment, then grinned and shrugged, "I'm probably just being paranoid though. Right then! Eye on the ball! Focused, and ready!"

Maxim nearly choked on the air he was breathing when Fyllo called out his name. He'd known there would be a chance he might get Chosen, but the odds had been at least a billion to one. With just a few sentences those odds had become one in three. If he had been a gambling pony he would have had no qualms putting money on his chances. He stared at the stage where the little unicorn had moments before teleported away, and continued to stare like his mind had snapped. Perhaps, just a little bit, it had.

@@MagicalStarRain,@@soullessduck, Maxim wondered if anything he'd said had been understood by Cirrus. He suspected not. "Hmm, yes, well... Oh look! Ponies!" He held out the little colt and Cirrus took flight once again, buzzing about Viridian's head. He smiled at Cirrus for a moment, watching his antics, then edged back over toward Basswaver, having been struck with a thought, "Hey Bass? My conversation with him may have been brief, but Standoff brought up an interesting point. Do you know when the ceremony part of this ceremony is supposed to begin? I'm just curious really. I could play with that little colt for hours to be honest."

@@MagicalStarRain, "Nice to meet'cha Red Storm; howdy Chaser Wing. I'm Maxim, but you can call me Mr. Stripey. Excuse me a moment will you..." Maxim rolled his eyes up to look at Cirrus, who had squirmed from his brother's grip and landed on the zebra's head again. He smiled at the little colt's innocent question, "Well, my fine little foal, it might surprise you, but I'm not actually a pony," He gasped at his own comment theatrically, "I'm a zebra. My great-great-great-great-grandparents came from a place really far away, where everyone has stripes." As he was answering the foal's question Maxim's family quietly arrived, joining the crowd standing before the stage. Maxim took his eyes off Cirrus long enough to spot them and beam, waving a hoof at his parents. He sat on his haunches and picked the colt off his head, holding him with his forelegs. He pointed out his family to him, "See? That's my family. They've all got stripes and they're all zebras too. Well, mostly." Both his parents had stripes, as did his brothers. His cousins on the other hoof were from a branch of the extended family interbred with ponies enough through the generations that their stripes were almost too faint to see. His cousin Fade Water even had a horn and could use magic.

Maxim leaned his head back and grinned up at Standoff, "Hello there muscle hunk!" His smile became sheepish at the mention of his secret keeping problem, "Ah-heh, er, yes." He became interested again as Standoff mentioned his line of work, "Oh? What sort of work do you do, and at only 14-" Maxim stuffed a hoof in his mouth again to stifle a titanic laugh as a tiny pegasus colt suddenly fell from the sky to land on top of Standoff's head. The playful little colt lying on the stoic young stallion's head looked absolutely adorable! Maxim squeed in delight as the colt buzzed over and landed on his head as well, like a fluffy little fez. "Sweet Princesses of Old, you are just the most precious thing ever!" Maxim gushed, rolling his eyes up to look at the little colt/hat, "And thank you for noticing. I've had this look since my birthday, my first one, and I was worried it was getting stale." When Chaser came and lifted the colt off Maxim's head the zebra smiled at him, "And hello to you as well! Do you belong to this one?" He reached out a hoof and ruffled the little colt's mane, making silly faces as he did so.

Maxim squeaked in surprise as he was unexpectedly used as an impromptu lounge chair. It felt like he was wearing a huge fur coat with a pulse. He stared at her in confused shock for a moment when she rolled off him, then burst into a fit of giggles. When he was able to stifle them he cleared his throat and stuck his nose in the air. He did his best to immitate her terrible Canterlot accent, "You? Hardly my dear. I shall be the next princess, for you see it is I who posess the magical talking cloak!" He resumed his role of adolescent zebra and glanced over at Standoff, smiling. He whispered back to Basswaver, "That fine specimen there is Standoff. I think he might be headed for the military from the way he holds himself, and as for 'hunk of muscle,'" Maxim hummed as he recalled the colt's toned muscles, "You've certainly got that right; but I don't think he's the one for me. Seems too serious for my tastes. I like a stallion with a sense of humor to them. Oh, and he said something very interesting. He said-" Maxim shoved a hoof in his own mouth as he sat down beside Basswaver. Now, y'see, this is why no one tells you their secrets anymore, he thought at himself. The young zebra took his foot out of his mouth and coughed, "Er, maybe I shouldn't say, actually."

No alicorns at all? Maxim's eyes opened wide with curiosity, but it seemed he had ruined his chances of hearing how such an event could occur. He really was terrible at keeping secrets though; even the secret that he was terrible at keeping secrets. Maybe if he chummed up to Standoff some more... Movement caught his eye and he glanced to the side, spotting Basswaver waving at him. As he watched she hesitated, seemed to realize something, then giggled and blushed. Why would she... He remembered that he was practically snuggled up to Standoff, which wasn't exactly a bad thing, but he didn't want any misunderstandings. Standoff was good looking, but Maxim wasn't ready to be looking for a coltfriend at only 14, at least in his opinion. Luckily, the colt didn't seem to have noticed Maxim's position as readily as Bass had. He sat up again and edged a few inches to the side. Even so, he squinted at the side of Standoff's head and silently shook a hoof at the pony. You shall be mine, oh so tantalizing secret! he thought, then turned and walked over to Bass, smiling as a greeting. He sat beside her and mushed his face up beside hers, grinning, "Howdy! Ready to become royalty?"

Maxim grinned foalishly and leaned in as well, mushing his cheek against Standoff's'. He was intrigued now, "No." He replied honestly, sounding completely nonchalant about it, "No I cannot. I'm absolutely terrible at keeping secrets... but tell me anyway." He grinned hopefully.

@, Maxim tilted his head to the side, almost but not quite nuzzling it against Standoff's shoulder, and looked off into space, "Well now, I suppose I know as much about the ceremony as any other pony. Far as I know all the colts and fillies file up onto the stage once the ceremony begins, then we just... wait, I guess. We wait until somepony gets a magical tattoo on their forehead. After that I think there's a feast at some point, but it's all kinda fuzzy. I've heard rumors that the Chosen pony is treated like a king, or queen, and other rumors where the feast involves eating the Chosen pony's mane and tail. I personally hope we don't have to do that." He glanced at Standoff, "How about you? You know any details?"

(OOC: Disregard Maxim's earlier talk about the Princesses, I was not yet clear on the time-frame of the RP. I've got it all straight now) Maxim suddenly had a very accute bout of amnesia, forgetting all about his worries regarding regal sisters who shall remain nameless. @, Maxim shook his head and looked around, "Huh. Wasn't I standing over there a moment ago? Oh well." He shrugged and wandered in the direction of the stage. He noticed a colt standing around with a sort of militaristic grace and sidled up to him. He smiled and held out a hoof, standing next to him, "Hi there. Name's Maxim. Nice t'meetcha."

Maxim chuckled and playfully batted Basswaver's hoof away as she ruffled his mane, not that it got any more ruined than it already was. He nodded with a smile, "Very nice. You've always been good with music. I love hearing your new songs." He listened to her thoughts about the Chosen and tilted his head to the side. He looked at the sky and mused to himself, "I wonder if the Chosen will get to meet the Princesses. They were Chosen, weren't they?" A sudden realization hit him, more of a question really, and he sat bolt upright, "Hold on! If the Chosen that get, well, chosen today become the new princes and princesses, what happens to Luna and Celestia?" He shrank down in his seat and furrowed his brow in worry, "They don't... they don't die, do they?" @@Starshine, Trying to be more positive and banish unpleasant thoughts about the Princesses, Maxim hopped off his seat and joined the small crowd of foals. He heard someone ask absently about a party after the Choosing and Maxim placed a hoof on his chest, doing his best Canterlot snob impression, "Do not fear sir. If, and when, I am Chosen to be your new God, I will certainly throw a small banquet for all you *haughty sniff* little ponies." He tried not to laugh at himself.

Maxim sat back in his seat at the edge of the fountain and watched as events played themselves out. He munched on the apple fritter he found in his bag-breakfast as other fillies and colts showed up and began discussing everything from their odds of being Chosen to facial scars. The latter topic seemed to be particularly sensitive. He finished off his breakfast and crumpled up the paper bag, tossing it in the general direction of a trashcan beside a bench. He leaned over beside Basswaver and inquired, "So, how go things in the magical land of wubs and bass? Nervous about the ceremony?"

Maxim sat on the porch of his family's house near the edge of Ponyville, watching as the sun roseover the distant Canterlot mountains. It always made the young zebra happy to see the sun rising. It was like Celestia was reminding the world that she was there, watching, protecting, illuminating. He heard a board squeak behind him (the house had innumerable loose boards, as well as leaking pipes and a draft) and he turned around. He was small for his age, forcing him to tilt his head up a bit to look at his mother as she walked toward him. She smiled and set down a paper bag between them, the smell of apples wafting from it. Maxim blinked and winced, remembering now what he'd forgotten to do that morning: breakfast. He bashfully scraped a hoof on the ground, "Uh, thanks mom." His mom just smiled and ruffled his mane, "No problem at all. Were you going to head off to the Choosing already?" Maxim nodded, "I promised Basswaver and the others that I would meet them at the fountain before the Choosing. I promise I'll be back before lunch." His mom chuckled, "Nonsense. We'll meet you there for lunch. Your brothers are going to the Choosing too you know." Maxim smiled and took the bag between his teeth, "Al'ight. Ah see ooh 'ere." He turned around and started to trot down the street. Only a few yards down the road he paused, set the bag down, turned around, and ran back. He gave his mom a quick hug before returning to his bag breakfast and chargng toward the middle of town as the sun rose higher in the sky. Maxim had always made certain to let his family know he loved them whenever he could. He didn't really have a reason for it, and the other colts certainly teased him relentlessly for still hugging his mom every day before he left the house, but it just felt like the right thing to do. Why in Equestria should he be ashamed of his family (even if they were among the poorer families in town)? The young zebra trotted through town, flowing with the tide of ponies moving toward the stage that had been erected in the center of town. The Choosing wasn't a rare occassion, or a once-in-a-lifetime ocassion either. It was the kind of event that only survived in legend for most of history. To not only live to see one, but to participate in it, was a privilege that billions upon billions of ponies before had been denied. At the moment though, the only thing Maxim could think about was how far it was to the fountain, and how long before he could eat the apple based treats in his tempting little paper bag. He spotted it and hurried over, seeing that Basswaver and Misty were there already, sitting on the edge of the basin under the fountain. He trotted up to her and smiled as best he could around the bag, "Heh'woe theh Beff-" He scowled and spat the bag out at his hooves. He licked his lips and started over, "Hey there Bass. Hey Misty. How's it going?"